Green Bay Blizzard Cannot Dull Axemen; Fall 42-36
April 25, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Bemidji, MN - The Green Bay Blizzard saw their last second hail mary attempt fall just short Friday night at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN as the team fell to the Bemidji Axemen 42-36.
For the first time this season the Blizzard maintained a lead going into the fourth quarter, however they were unable to hold on as Axemen QB Cody Kirby connected with WR Nick Truesdell for a 16-yard touchdown to give Bemidji a six point lead with just 26 seconds remaining.
The second matchup all-time between the two teams was a close competitive game as it featured ten lead changes. The Axemen move to 2-0 all-time against the Blizzard winning the previous contest on February 22, 40-36.
The Blizzard fall to 0-8 on the season while the Axemen improve to 4-4. Both teams will face each other again next week as Bemidji travels to Green Bay on Saturday, May 3.
Green Bay jumped on the scoreboard first as RB Lucien Walker nabbed a three-yard pass from QB Nate Wara. The Axemen, led by former Blizzard Head Coach Robert Fuller, responded in kind with a 10-yard pass to WR Maurice Patterson. Conversely, the Blizzard struck back immediately as Wara hit WR Daron Clark for a 16 yard TD at the end of the first quarter to give the Blizzard a 12-7 lead going into the second.
At the top of the second Bemidji QB and reigning IFL Rookie of the Year Cody Kirby hit former Blizzard WR Ryan Balentine for a 45-yard strike. The two teams then traded touchdowns to even up the score at 20. Kirby later hit WR Truesdell for an 18-yard touchdown with just 39 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Axemen a slim 27-20 lead.
Scoring was sparse in the third quarter as Nate Wara accounted for the lone score.
On the first drive of the forth quarter Blizzard K Matt Mahowald gave the Blizzard the lead yet again, 29-27. The two teams then traded touchdowns but Green Bay WR Daron Clark's TD gave the Blizzard a slim two point lead.
Nurturing the lead, Green Bay drove down the field thanks to a long 31 yard run by Nate Wara. However Wara's strong running faltered as fumbled the ball in the redzone giving the ball back to Bemidji for their final drive of the night.
Green Bay got the ball back with 22 seconds remaining but the subsequent Hail Mary pass came up short.
After rushing for a franchise record 180 yards last week vs. the Fever the Blizzard followed it up with a 163 yard performance led by QB Nate Wara. Wara rushed for 107 yards on 11 carries, making it back-to-back weeks with 100 rushing yards. Wara also completed 16 of 32 passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns. However, he also had a costly interception and fumble.
WR Daron Clark led all Blizzard wide receivers with four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns. DB Alexander McCray had 11 tackles.
Bemidji QB Cody Kirby completed 16 of 22 passes for 194 yards and five touchdowns. RB Demario Pippen led the team on the ground with 39 rushing yards and one touchdown. Former Blizzard WR Ryan Balentine led the Axemen in receiving with seven catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
The Blizzard face the Axemen in consecutive weeks as Bemidji travels to Green Bay next Saturday May 3 for a rematch on Aurora BayCare Field. May 3 will be Bart Starr Bobblehead Night as the first 1,500 adults 18 and up will receive a Bart Starr Bobblehead with a minimum $5.00 donation to Rawhide. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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